We spoke to the students behind huge new night ‘dot.’

‘Dot.’ is not your normal night out.

It was started and curated by lovers of music alternative to that which is usually found in Liverpool, who are practically still students themselves, making it incredibly well thought out and night you’d welcome a hangover for.

The night has previously been host to Flava D, Moony, Mike Skinner (The Streets) Artful (the original Artful Dodger), Swindle, DJ Q, Channel One Soundsystem, and Submotion Orchestra.

The night was started by Jim West and Tom Gilbey, who is also a resident DJ of the event.

We spoke to promoter Toby who got involved when he met Jim and Tom in second year and starting by taking photos of ‘dot.’ for them.

Toby and Jim with Artful

How long has ‘dot.’ been running for?

“It’s been running for about 2 years now, the first event was put on when the founders were in Carnatic, and it all began in the Heebies basement on a shoestring budget. The progression since then has been amazing, as we have been developing what we hope is a recognisable and distinctive brand, offering the best garage grime and bass nights in Liverpool.”

Who’ve you got lined up to perform next?

“Our next event is the Winter Garden Festival in collaboration with Hot Plate, on the 24th October at the Kazimier and the Kazimier Gardens. It’s going to be headlined by Detroit Swindle.”

“We have events once or twice a month, whether it is a solo or joint venture.”

Who has been your favourite act so far?

“We would have to say Swindle was a legend. He flew in from Amsterdam for the show and lit up the Shipping forecast basement. From the minute we picked him up from the airport until we dropped him back at his hotel, he couldn’t have been a nicer guy.

However since the Shy FX show I think we would have to say that that was an unbelievable set, we hope you’d agree!”

Who is your ultimate headliner? / venue?

“Shaggy and Sean Paul on the roof of John Lewis. Obviously.”

Have you guys had any disasters/ weirdest thing to happen at an event?

“Our house parties from last year out at an undisclosed location on Smithdown have their fair share of interesting stories some that are perhaps left unshared, however our unlicensed boxing match was certainly a surreal event that gripped its audience further with each round that went by, two friends went toe to toe and proved themselves equals, it is safe to say that friendship has prevailed and still remains strong.”

Why did you guys decide to start ‘dot.’?

“We started ‘dot.’ originally as an end of year party for Carnatic students, and then the night first took hold at the start of November in second year. The plans were set up over the summer, logo created and now we are where we are.”

Are you looking to expand to other cities?

“Expansion would of course be amazing. It’s a point we would love to get to, but for right now we love it too much in Liverpool to be wanting to get away from it.”

Tom, creator and resident DJ at ‘dot.’, runs the events while studying a masters.

Tom and Jim

What masters do you study? Is it hard to balance your degree alongside planning the event?

“I do a masters in business and my original degree was in music. It’s all practical experience at the end of the day. My degrees and ‘dot.’ compliment each other, and so in terms of balancing the two it can be hard at busy times of the year, however, taking what I learn from both I believe can only be beneficial.”

How Long have you been DJing for?

“I started fiddling around with decks when I was 15, but it was in second year when I got my first set of proper decks and a mixer. I’ve just been playing around and taking it more seriously since then as ‘dot.’ resident.”

What is next for you guys?

“Our next project is this Saturday (24th) at the Kazimier and Kazimier Gardens, called the Winter Garden Festival. The event is something we are incredibly excited about as it is a collaborative project between ourselves and a whole host of other nights in Liverpool. It’s great to be able to get a large group of us creating together and it has lead to us putting out such a strong line up of acts including Detroit Swindle, Dark Sky and Trojan Soundsystem. We are buzzing for this weekend especially as it gives us a chance to be able to put something on in the Kaz before its devastatingly imminent closure.”

Buy tickets for the Winter Garden Festival here and get more info here.